Article for hydro-propulsion with enhanced performance and safety capabilities

ABSTRACT

The invention is a direct replacement for conventional propellers on aquatic vehicles that utilize them. The cincture ( 26 ) ( 26 A) being a integral part with the propeller makes a significant improvement over conventional propellers. Being so manufactured means that it can be conformed to virtually all types of propeller applications. Such as mounting requirements, the number of helical screws ( 20 ), their pitch and direction of rotation, and rear or forward mounted propellers. The cincture ( 26 ) ( 26 A) being of one piece with the propeller means it is of the same material (plastic, aluminum, stainless steel, teflon, bronze, etc, etc.) as the propeller. Giving an enhanced performance and safety capability in a single article of manufacture for each desired application. Being beneficial not only for the owner, but the aquatic vehicle and its surroundings.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to helical screw hydro-propulsion for aquatic vehicles, specifically to the article of manufacture that is propellers.

2. Prior Art

To date, the most economically effective way to propel a vehicle designed for aquatic use is the employment of a type of helical screw connected to a power source. The pushing or pulling of a craft through the water is usually accomplished by a propeller that bolts on the end of a driveshaft, or arbor that connects via a driveline to some type of energy source, mechanical or otherwise.

A propeller is basically one of, or more commonly, a set of knife blades pitched (angled) so as to push or pull water against itself when rotated by an energy source. The upside of this is the movement of an object through the water for commerce, leisure, or sport. The many advantages provided by a propeller have been inestimable.

But with every action comes a reaction. Some are not always equal, but are definitely opposite, for example:

-   -   (a) Being exposed blades spinning in the water, they have a         tendency to attract and catch objects.     -   (b) The objects that interfere with the propeller blades can         foul and impede propeller operation, thusly impeding aquatic         vehicle movement. These objects can-include ropes and nets,         etc., etc.     -   (c) Underwater obstacles and projections, which are usually         hidden in the water, can damage the blades of the propeller,         necessitating repair, or more usually, replacement of the         propeller. These can include rocks, trees, concrete, pilings,         etc., etc.     -   (d) Living beings such as humans, dogs, manatees, etc., etc.,         can be decapitated, eviscerated, or otherwise mauled, sometimes         fatally by blood loss or infection.

Efforts have been made to enhance the safety and performance of propellers. An interesting version of such modifications is U.S. Patent Application No. 20060166570 by Norman. The attempts at propeller enhancement involves the adding on of separate extras, sometimes becoming quite complicated, increasing in maintenance and repair time. Often sacrificing safety for performance and vice versa.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a propeller manufactured with a cincture that encompasses the blades and is of one piece with the propeller.

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

The embodiments in the drawings are only aspects of what can be construed as a wide variety of embodiments to conform to as wide a variety of applications.

FIGS. 1A and 1B shows two different views of a first embodiment of my invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B shows two different views of a second embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway of a third embodiment to show the helical screw as it tapers towards terminus at rear of cincture.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

10—splined hub

18—leading edge of helical screw

20—helical screw

22—foramen, water ingression

24—crenation

26, 26A—cincture

28, 28A—foramen, water egression

Glossary

-   Arbor: shaft -   Cavitation: the rapid formation and collapse of vapor pockets in a     flowing liquid in regions of very low pressure, often causing     structural damage to propellers. -   Cinture: encircling band or girdle -   Crenation: rounded edge -   Egression: exit -   Foramen: opening -   Ingression: entrance -   Invaginated: sheathed or housed -   Sequacious: regular -   Terminus: end -   Topology: unchangeable geometry -   Volute: spiral

Detailed Description—FIGS. 1A AND 1B—First Embodiment

One embodiment of my invention is shown in FIG. 1A (ingression view) and FIG. 1B (egression view). The housing, body, barrel, or cincture (26) is manufactured in conjunction with the propeller, all being of a piece, an integral extention of the blades, fins, helical screws (20).

With the cincture (26) being a natural extension of the helical screws (20), it is of the same material as the helical screws (20) that it invaginates. Also, in this embodiment, the water ingression/egression foramens (22) (28) are of the same diameter to create a 1:1 ratio of hydraulic displacement. The rims of the cincture (26) in this embodiment are crenated (24) at both foramens (22) (28) to aid in streamlining. The cincture (26) in this embodiment is proportionately longer than the spindle hub (10) so the top trailing edges of the helical screws (20) are longer than the base leading edges. The helical screws (20) in this embodiment taper outward in a sequacious manner from their base at the terminus of the spindle

Detailed Description—FIGS. 1A and 1B—First Embodiment (Continued)

hub (10) to their terminus on the underside of the cincture (26) at the water egression foramen (28). This will allow for access to the medium used to fasten the complete article to the arbor.

This embodiment is shown with four helical screws (20) in a rear-mounted, clockwise (as viewed from water ingression foramen (22) end) rotation application. The components of this embodiment is manufactured of a predetermined topology with the same methods and materials that are now in utilization for conventional propeller manufacture.

Operation—FIGS. 1A and 1B

The removal of a conventional propeller and my invention being installed can take as little as fifteen minutes for smaller power sources using smaller propellers. Once submerged and put into rotational actuation, the helical screws (20) will compel the liquid medium in which the article is immersed to be driven along from ingression (22) to egression (28) foramens in a sequacious manner. The cincture (26) will help to quickly eliminate any cavitation and further prevent it from re-occurring. With the water being thrust upward and outward by the helical screws (20), the cincture (26) will redirect and focus the travel toward the water egression foramen (28). In this embodiment, with the top trailing edges of the helical screws (20) being elongated on the underside of the cincture (26). This will help gain momentum thrust upon the water, giving more forward thrust to aquatic vehicle. The same size foramens (22) (28) will allow for a 1:1 ratio of hydraulic displacement in this embodiment. Reversal of rotational actuation will cause the thrusting force and vehicle movement to be in the opposite direction. With the helical screws (20) being invaginated within the cincture (26), attraction to objects is reduced to a minimum. Protecting the surrounding the fauna (humans, animals, etc., etc.) from the

Operation—FIGS. 1A and 1B (Continued)

helical screws (20), also protecting the helical screws (20) and any impediment of their operation from the surroundings, such as rocks, trees, weeds, or kelp, nets, ropes, cables, pylons, concrete, etc., etc.

FIGS. 2A and 2B—Additional Embodiment

Another front and rear perspective of my invention is shown in this embodiment. This embodiment is shown with three helical screws (20) and a counterclockwise rotation as viewed from the water ingression foramen (22).

In this embodiment, the cincture (26A) tapers sequaciously towards its terminus to the crenation (24) at the water egression foramen (28A). This creates a diameter differential of 2:1 from the water ingression foramen (22) to the water egression foramen (28A). Giving this embodiment a hydraulic overdrive which will work to the advantage of a working, load hauling type application. The overdrive differential would be in a capacity for tugboats, shrimpers, trawlers, barges, etc., etc.

FIG. 3—Additional Embodiment

This embodiment is of a 1:1 ratio, single helical screw, with a clockwise rotation as viewed from the water ingression foramen (22). The cutaway is to show the taper of the rear of the helical screw in this embodiment.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

A reader can visualize that a least one embodiment of my invention provides enhanced performance and safety capabilities in a one for one exchange with a conventional propeller, without having to bolt or add on anything extra. Thereby simplifying the process of protecting investments as well as surroundings. Making it a wise investment for all aquatic vehicles that utilize conventional propellers.

Virtually any of the propellers for aquatic vehicles being manufactured today can be configured with an integral cincture (26) (26A) during the manufacturing process. Which means it can be of any desired pitch, number of helical screws (20), direction of rotation, forward or rear mount, as well as any mounting requirements desired for virtually any application. The size and mounting application can vary in all ranges from those to fit a toy boat, a radio controlled boat, to the largest required. Which is quite possibly the four required on the U. S. S. Ronald Reagan, each approximately 22 feet in diameter.

The invention can come in any conceivable color. The cincture (26) (26A) can be predetermined cross sectional thickness, and of the same materials already in use for propeller manufacture. The cincture (26) (26A) can be of a proportionate length, such as the same length as a spindle hub (10), or 1:5 times the length, twice the length, etc., etc. The cincture ((26) (26A) can be crenated (24) at the foramens (22) (28) (28A) or not. The water ingression, egression foramens (22) (28) (28A) can be configured in a predetermined diameter in relationship to each other to give a 1:1 ratio of thrust, or overdrive (2:1, 3:2, 4:3, etc., etc.) ratios, or underdrive (1:2, 2:3, 3:4, etc., etc.) ratios for desired applications.

Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope (Continued)

While my above description contains many specifities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. But rather as an exemplification of one or several preferred embodiments thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not only by the embodiments illustrated, but also by the appended claims and legal equivalents. 

1. An article of manufacture for hydro-propulsion with enhanced performance and safety capabilities, comprising, (a) a means for attachment to a source of energy for a rotational actuation of said article, and (b) a helical screw for a means of providing momentum transferal to a liquid medium when in rotational actuation, and (c) a cincture encompassing said helical screw, whereby creating an enhanced performance and safety capability.
 2. The article of claim 1, wherein said article is comprised of a material by itself or in a combination with other materials that are conducive to the manufacturing of propellers for hydro-propulsion.
 3. The article of claim 1, wherein all components of said article are comprised of a predetermined cross sectional thickness of said material.
 4. The article of claim 1, wherein said means of attachment meets the requirements conducive to application.
 5. The article of claim 1, wherein said article is of a predetermined size whereby proportionate to desired energy source and size of aquatic vehicle being driven thereby.
 6. The article of claim 1, wherein said article contains a predetermined number of helical screws in a predetermined pitch, rotation, and push or pull configuration conducive to desired application.
 7. The article of claim 1, wherein said helical screws are integral with said means of attachment and said cincture.
 8. The article of claim 1, wherein said helical screws taper away at one end of said means of attachment to their terminus at the underside of one end of said cincture at a water foramen.
 9. The article of claim 1, wherein said cincture is of a predetermined cross sectional thickness and of one piece with said helical screws.
 10. Pursuant to claim 9, wherein said cincture is of a predetermined length proportionate to said means of attachment.
 11. Pursuant to claim 9, wherein said cincture comprises of said water foramens at either end for ingression and egression of water.
 12. Pursuant to claim 9, wherein said cincture can include a crenation on both rims of said water ingression and egression foramens.
 13. Pursuant to claim 9, wherein said water ingression and egression foramens are of a predetermined size proportionate to each other for utilization of hydraulic ratio aspects in either 1:1 and overdrive and underdrive equivalents. 